Ryan and Paddon in running

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Timaru cyclist Marc Ryan and Geraldine rally driver Hayden Paddon have made the shortlist for the Halberg Awards.

The list of nominees is headed, unsurprisingly, by New Zealand's London Olympic stars.

Ryan, Sam Bewley, Jesse Sergent, Westley Gough and Aaron Gate are one of 18 teams shortlisted for the Team of the Year award after they won a bronze medal in the men's team pursuit at the London Olympics.

Other nominees for the award include London 2012 champion rowing crews Hamish Bond and Eric Murray, Nathan Cohen and Joseph Sullivan and gold sailing duo Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie.

The team category also features the All Blacks, Silver Ferns and the Breakers.

Paddon is one of 12 in the running for Sportsman of the Year after finishing fourth including two wins in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship class of the World Rally Championship in 2012.

The awards, for 2012 performances, which will be held in Auckland on February 14, features a total of 63 nominees.

Valerie Adams is again in the running for Sportswoman of the Year, this time up against fellow Olympic champion Lisa Carrington and teenage golf prodigy Lydia Ko, the world No 1 women's amateur and youngest winner of a professional tour event.

The men's list features 12 athletes, ranging from Olympic champion Mahe Drysdale to 21-year-old freestyle motocross world champion Levi Sherwood - posing the judging panel with the tough job of determining which achievement is more impressive.

Manawatu speed-skater Peter Michael, who is coached by South Canterbury's Bill Begg is also nominated.

The disabled category is headed by Sophie Pascoe, who enjoyed another highly successful Olympic campaign in London. The Voting Academy will now determine finalists which are announced on January 1, 2013. Any outstanding performances by individual athletes or teams are still considered until the end of this month.